Boeing’s commercial jet orders rebounded in March with a large order from American Airlines for the Boeing 737 Max 10, the largest version of the troubled aircraft. American also converted previous orders for the Max 8 version into additional Max 10 orders, with options for more in the future. While these orders were a positive development for Boeing, questions about the certification of the Max 10 have caused delays in the process.
Certification of the Max 10 has been postponed following concerns about anti-icing equipment on the Max engines and criticism of Boeing’s safety and quality controls. The Alaska Airlines incident with the 737 Max 9 further added to these concerns, prompting Boeing to withdraw its request for a waiver from the FAA. United Airlines also expressed doubts about the Max 10, stating the door plug incident was the final straw for its expectations of the plane. Despite this, the airline has not yet canceled its orders for the Max 10 but is considering options from rival Airbus as well.
Boeing had experienced a record month for commercial jet orders in December before the Alaska Air incident, but orders nearly came to a halt in January and February. The order from American was seen as a positive move for Boeing, demonstrating confidence in the troubled aircraft maker. Boeing reported deliveries of 24 737 Max jets and five 787 Dreamliners in March, but production has been slowed down due to quality control questions and certification delays.
The lack of deliveries has caused issues for airlines like United and Southwest Airlines. United has frozen pilot hiring and asked some pilots to take unpaid leave, while Southwest Airlines has adjusted hiring plans due to reduced 737 Max deliveries. Despite these challenges, Boeing remains hopeful that the certification process for the Max 10 will resume soon. American Airlines’ substantial order for the Max 10 serves as a reminder of the ongoing confidence in Boeing’s products within the aerospace industry.
Overall, Boeing is facing challenges with its commercial jet orders and deliveries, but the recent order from American Airlines provides a glimmer of hope. The certification delays for the Max 10 have raised concerns, but Boeing is working to address these issues and resume the process soon. While the Alaska Air incident and criticisms of safety have impacted Boeing’s reputation, the company is focused on regaining trust and continuing to deliver quality aircraft to its customers. Despite the setbacks, Boeing is optimistic about the future and remains committed to overcoming the current challenges in the aerospace industry.
